Things didn’t look good when Erin Jackson took a tumble at the Olympic Trials.
Her dreams of competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics flashed before her eyes when she was in the backstretch of her 500m race. She caught a bad edge and slipped during her marquee event.
But Jackson pushed through and it paid off big when she made history and won an Olympic gold medal for the U.S.
But it didn’t look that way at first.
She somehow managed to stay on her feet during the marquee event and crossed the finish line in 38.24 seconds.
However, she only placed third when there were only two spots were available.
Her friend Brittany Bowe ended up giving up her spot to Jackson.
“Erin has a shot to bring home a medal – hopefully, a gold medal – and it’s my honor to give her that opportunity. She’s earned it and she deserves it,” Bowe said.
Both women grew up in Ocala, Flordia where they competed in inline skating before moving to the ice.
“I’ve known her almost my whole life,” Jackson said. “I’ve always known what an incredible person she is… She’s always been there for me, helping me out, even when I was the new kid back in Ocala. [She’s] always been an awesome mentor and an amazing friend if I ever need advice.”
Bowe ended up getting her spot back when quota spots were reallocated to grant a third spot.
“I think I cried immediately,” Jackson said, according to UF News. “Just a big release of emotion. A lot of shock, a lot of relief, and a lot of happiness.”
Jackson broke several records she won gold in the 500-meter event.
It was Jackson’s second Olympics after skating for only six years.
“This medal means so much,” she said, according to NBC Sports. “It has been a tough couple of years and a tough beginning for this year. For this to come around like this, I am so happy.”
Jackson had the fastest time at 37.04 seconds which made her the first Black woman to win a speed skating medal of any color, the first American to win speed skating gold since Shani Davis, the first American woman to win speed skating gold since Christ Witty, and the first American woman to win gold in the women’s 500 m since Bonnie Blair.
“Hopefully it has an effect,” said Jackson. “Hopefully we can see more minorities, especially in the USA getting out and trying some of these winter sports.”
Bowe said she was extremely happy for her friend.
“Words can’t explain how proud I am of her,” Bowe said after Jackson’s victory. “I knew she had the chance to do something really special and she just showed the world why she deserved to be here, and she’s Olympic champion.”
Still, Jackson said she is grateful to her friend.
“When she gave up her spot, she didn’t know we were getting a third one, so she made a really big sacrifice for me and I will be grateful to her forever,” Jackson said.
Learn more about Jackson’s historic win in the video below!
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